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Warning after woman falls victim to telphone scam

Police are warning members of the public to be vigilant after a vulnerable woman in her 50s was targeted by a telephone scam.

On Thursday 28 December the woman from Ipswich received a telephone call from a man claiming he was from Virgin Money. He persuaded her to give him her bank details over the phone and then instructed her to transfer £1,700 over the phone to Thailand which she duly did.

The following day the lady then visited her local bank to transfer a further £6,000 to the same scammers. Bank staff intervened and contacted police which ensured the woman lost no more money.

Residents should remember the following:

• Your bank or the police will never ask you to withdraw money or purchase items
• Your bank or the police will never ask for your PIN, bank card or bank account details over the phone – never give these details out

If you receive such a call leave the landline for at least five minutes to make an outside call. Fraudsters will keep the line open and have been known to play ring tones, hold music and a recorded message down the phone so the victim believes they are making a call to a legitimate number

Use a friend or neighbour’s telephone instead

Friends, family, carers and neighbours are asked to spread the word to ensure everyone is aware of this scam and what they should do

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